Smelt stand

ABSTRACT

A smelt stand for use for smelt fishing where the shoreline does not permit the insertion of a support post. The invention also supports one or more fishing rods when still fishing techniques are employed. The smelt stand is comprised of a foldable support box that includes a base member and a perpendicularly oriented top member hingedly connected to the base member. The top member includes a plurality of openings adapted to permit the passage and retention of a post member or multiple fishing rods. The post member when positioned in one of the apertures extends upward in a vertical fashion to permit the attachment of a smelt net lead line. The base member includes a counterweight support pad that is pivotally connected to the base member. The counterweight support pad includes a recess that is adapted to support a counterweight, such as a bucket filled with water or sand. The base member also includes a recess that is also adapted to support a bucket filled with water or sand in the event additional counterweight is needed.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/563,757, filed on Apr. 20, 2004.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a smelt stand that is designed to permit a user to rig a smelt net for catching smelt or to support fishing rods and is designed to collapse for easy transport and storage.

By way of background but not limitation, various types of smelt stands are utilized by fisherman in order to cast out a smelt net for the purpose of catching and retrieving smelt fish. Typically, a smelt fisherman utilizes an elongated post that has a lead line attached to the top, wherein a lead weight is attached to the second end of the lead line and cast into the water, creating an incline lead line arrangement from the lake bottom to the top of support post. Depending on the shoreline surface, fisherman try to support the posts by inserting them into the ground or if the shoreline is formed of rock, they try to wedge the post between the rocks. Oftentimes, major cities such as. Chicago have shorelines formed of poured concrete that do not lend themselves to the installation of a smelt stand.

In view of the above, it should appreciated that there is a need for a portable smelt stand and rod holder that provides for an arrangement that permits the installation of the smelt stand on any surface without the need for loose ground, rocks or other openings to support the support stand. The present disclosure satisfies these and other needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY

The invention comprises a smelt stand for use for smelt fishing where the shoreline does not permit the insertion of a support post. The invention also supports one or more fishing rods when still fishing techniques are employed. The smelt stand is comprised of a foldable support box that includes a base member and a perpendicularly oriented top member hingedly connected to the base member. The top member includes a plurality of openings adapted to permit the passage and retention of a post member or multiple fishing rods. The post member when positioned in one of the apertures extends upward in a vertical fashion to permit the attachment of a smelt net lead line. The base member includes a counterweight support pad that is pivotally connected to the base member. The counterweight support pad includes a recess that is adapted to support a counterweight, such as a bucket filled with water or sand. The base member also includes a recess that is also adapted to support a bucket filled with water or sand in the event additional counterweight is needed.

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and the accompanying drawings, wherein the embodiments of the disclosure are described and shown, and in part will become apparent upon examination of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features of this disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the smelt stand in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the smelt stand rigged with the lead line;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the smelt stand;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the smelt stand in a folded position;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the smelt stand; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the smelt stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure will be described fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a particular embodiment is shown, it is to be understood at the outset that persons skilled in the art may modify the disclosures herein described, while still achieving the desired result. Accordingly, the description that follows is to be understood as a broad, informative disclosure directed to persons skilled in the appropriate art and not as limitations on the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the drawings, a smelt stand 10 is adapted to be positioned on a pier 17 and support a support mast 26 which is used to retain the position of a lead line 11. The lead line 11 is cast out by the fisherman and includes a first end attached to a lead weight 19 and a second end attached to the top of the support mast 26. A smelt net 13 is lowered by a fisherman by use of a support ring 15 which rides along the length of the lead line, lowering the net into the water. Once the net 13 is in the water, smelt swimming within the lake enter the net and become caught. The smelt fisherman, after a period of time, pulls the net up the lead line 11, removes the net from the lead line 11 and captures the fish.

The smelt stand 10 as shown in FIG. 1, includes a base member 12 that is hingedly connected to a top member 14 by hinges 16. An elongated hinge 16 may also be used as shown in FIG. 6. The smelt stand 10 also includes a pair of foldable braces 48 that are designed to lock when in the open position to retain the top member 14 in a perpendicular arrangement to the base member 12. The top member 14 includes a bottom wall 18 and a top wall 20 that is spaced apart from the bottom wall 18. In one embodiment, the bottom wall 18 includes a first aperture 22 adapted to permit the mast 26 to pass there through. The top wall 20 of the top member 14 includes a second aperture 24, also adapted to prevent the support mast 26 to pass there through. The handle 32 attached to the top wall 20 of the top member 14 is pivotally connected to permit the handle to be moved from the pathway of the support mast 26. The support mast 26 passes through both the first and second apertures 22, 24 and passes through a second handle 34, as shown in FIG. 2, to retain its position with respect to the smelt stand 10. While a single support mast 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that two support masts can be used wherein the top bottom wall 18 and top wall 20 each include two apertures adapted to accept the support mast 26. In this configuration the support masts 26 would be angled outward with respect to each other to prevent fouling of the nets 13. Use of two masts would increase the amount of water fished, resulting in a bigger yield.

The base member 12 includes a backwall 36 spaced apart from a pivoting front wall 38. The front wall 38 is connected to a counter weight support pad 40 which is adapted to support a counterweight such as a bucket 46 filled with water, sand, rocks or other counterweight mechanisms. The counterweight support pad 40 includes a recession 44 that aids in the retention of the position of the bucket 46. When not in use, the counterweight support pad 40 and front wall 38 pivot along pivot point 42 to hide the counterweight support pad 40 within the bottom portion 12 of the smelt stand 10. While a pivoting counterweight support pad 40 is shown a slidable arrangement may also be used wherein the support pad 40 slides outwardly from the base member 12. Locking members 48 interconnect the base member 12 to the top member 14 and fixedly retain the orientation of the top member 14 with respect to the base member 12. The locking members 48 include a hinge point 50 to permit the top member 14 to be folded with respect to the base member 12. The support mast needs to be of sufficient height to permit the lead line 11 to be strung outward away from the smelt stand 10 into the water. The support mast is preferably a multi piece post that can be disassembled when not in use, or in the alternative, may be telescoping to permit the stand to be positioned within the smelt stand 10.

To use the smelt stand 10, the user first unlatches locks 30 and opens the base member 12 with respect to the top member 14 along hinges 16. As the smelt stand 10 is opened, braces 48 open and lock to rigidly fix the top member 14 in an open position and in an orientation that is perpendicular to the base member. Once opened, the counterweight support pad 40 and front wall 38 are pivoted along pivot 42 to an open position. Bucket 46 is then filled with water, sand or other weighted material and positioned within recession 44 to prevent the smelt stand 10 from tipping over. Once the counterweight is in position, the support mast 26 is extended and inserted through the first and second apertures 22, 24 on the top member 14. Once the support mast 26 is in position, the user attaches the lead line 11 and cast out the lead weight. Once the lead line is positioned, the user then strings the smelt net 13 and lowers the net into the water below. After given duration, the user then raises the net along the lead line 11 and removes the net and bounty from the lead line 11. At the end of a fishing day, the user then removes and collapses the support mast 26 and inserts the support mast 26 within the base member 12. The bucket 46 is then removed from the counterweight support pad 40 and pivoted into the base member along pivot 42. Next, the braces 48 are released, permitting the top member 14 to pivot to a close position on top of the base member 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the smelt stand 10. The smelt stand 10 in FIG. 6 includes a base member 12 and a top member 14. The base member 12 is pivotally connected to the top member 14 by use of an elongated hinge 16. In order to retain the top member 14 in a perpendicular orientation to the base member 12 a pair of folding braces 48 are used. The top member 14 includes a top wall 20 that includes three openings 60 that are adapted to accept either one or more masts 26 or a plurality of fishing rods. The top member 14 is designed to include three hollow branches 62 that retain a portion of the mast 26 or a portion of the handle of a fishing rod. The branches 62 are positioned in an angled relation to one another so that when multiple masts 26 or fishing rods are used they are spaced apart from one another. This arrangement assists in eliminating line tangles and allows the fisherman to cover more water. The base member 12 includes a recession 64 that serves two functions. First, it allows the fisherman to place a counterweight on the base member 12 and second, it is adapted to accept the counterweight support pad 40 when the smelt stand 10 is in the folded position. The counterweight support pad 40 of FIG. 6 is pivotally connected to the base member 12 by use of hinge 66. The support pad 40 includes a recessed area 68 that is adapted to accept the counterweight bucket 46. The smelt stand 10 also includes a shoulder strap 70 that can be used to conveniently carry the smelt stand 10 when it is in the folded position.

The portable smelt fishing stand 10 is adapted to support retain the position of fishing equipment 26. The portable smelt fishing stand 10 includes a base member 12 having a first side and a second side. The first side of the base member 12 of the portable smelt fishing stand 10 is adapted to support the fishing stand 10 when in a use position. The top member 14 of the portable smelt fishing stand 10 is pivotally connected to the base member 12. The top member 14 including a plurality of openings 60 adapted to accept and retain the position of the fishing equipment 26.

The top member 14 is adapted to rest adjacent the second side of the base member 12 when the portable smelt fishing stand 10 is in a storage position. The portable smelt fishing stand 10 includes at least one brace connected to the base member 12 at a first end and connected to the top member 14 at a second end. The brace is adapted to retain the top member 14 in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the base member 12. The portable smelt fishing stand 10 also includes a counterweight support pad 40 that is pivotally connected to the base member 12 and is adapted to support a counterweight 46 such as a bucket filled with sand, rock or water. The counterweight can be of any size or shape so long as it retains the position of the portable smelt fishing stand 10 when in use.

Various features of the disclosure have been shown and described in connection with the illustrated embodiment, however, it is understood that these arrangements merely illustrate, and that the disclosure is to be given its fullest interpretation. 

1. A portable fishing stand adapted to support and retain the position of fishing equipment, said portable fishing stand comprising: a base member having a first side and a second side, said first side of said base member adapted to support said fishing stand when in a use position; a top member pivotally connected to said base member, said top member including a plurality of openings adapted to accept and retain the position of fishing equipment, said top member adapted to rest adjacent said second side of said base member when said portable fishing stand is in a storage position; at least one brace connected to said base member at a first end and connected to said top member at a second end, said at least one brace adapted to retain said top member in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to said base member; a counterweight support pad that is adapted to support a counterweight and is connected to said base member.
 2. The portable fishing stand of claim 1, wherein said counterweight support pad is pivotally connected to said base member.
 3. The portable fishing stand of claim 1, wherein said counterweight support pad is adapted to be positioned adjacent said second side of said base member when said portable fishing stand is in a storage position.
 4. The portable fishing stand of claim 1, wherein said counterweight support pad includes a recession adapted to retain the position of the counterweight.
 5. The portable fishing stand of claim 1, wherein said at least one brace is pivotally connected to said base member at said first end and pivotally connected to said top member at a second end.
 6. The portable fishing stand of claim 1, wherein said at least one brace is foldable.
 7. The portable fishing stand of claim 1, wherein said at least one brace locks when in an open position.
 8. The portable fishing stand of claim 1, wherein said base member includes a recession adapted to support a counterweight.
 9. A portable fishing stand adapted to support retain the position of fishing equipment, said portable fishing stand comprising: a base member having a first side and a second side, said first side of said base member adapted to support said fishing stand when in a use position, said second side of said base member adapted to support a counterweight; a top member pivotally connected to said base member, said top member including a plurality of openings adapted to accept and retain the position of fishing equipment, said top member adapted to rest adjacent said second side of said base member when said portable fishing stand is in a storage position; at least one brace connected to said base member at a first end and connected to said top member at a second end, said at least one brace adapted to retain said top member in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to said base member.
 10. The portable fishing stand of claim 9, wherein said at least one brace is pivotally connected to said base member at said first end and pivotally connected to said top member at a second end.
 11. The portable fishing stand of claim 9, wherein said at least one brace is foldable.
 12. The portable fishing stand of claim 9, wherein said at least one brace locks when in an open position.
 13. The portable fishing stand of claim 9, wherein said base member includes a recession adapted to retain said counterweight.
 14. A foldable fishing stand adapted to support retain the position of fishing equipment while fishing, said foldable fishing stand comprising: a base member adapted to support said fishing stand when in a use position; a top member pivotally connected to said base member, said top member including a means for retaining the position of fishing equipment, said top member adapted to be positioned adjacent said base member when said foldable fishing stand is in a storage position; at least one brace adapted to secure said base member in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to said top member; a counterweight support pad connected to said base member, said counterweight support pad is adapted to support a counterweight.
 15. The foldable fishing stand of claim 14, wherein said counterweight support pad is pivotally connected to said base member.
 16. The foldable fishing stand of claim 14, wherein said counterweight support pad is adapted to be positioned adjacent said base member when said foldable fishing stand is in a storage position.
 17. The foldable fishing stand of claim 14, wherein said counterweight support pad includes a recession adapted to retain the position of the counterweight.
 18. The foldable fishing stand of claim 14, wherein said at least one brace is pivotally connected to said base member at said first end and pivotally connected to said top member at a second end.
 19. The foldable fishing stand of claim 14, wherein said at least one brace is foldable.
 20. The foldable fishing stand of claim 14, wherein said at least one brace locks when in an open position.
 21. The foldable fishing stand of claim 14, wherein said base member includes a recession adapted to support a counterweight. 